February 17th Martyrs Brigade

February 17th Martyrs Brigade
كتيبة شهداء 17 فبراير Participant in the Libyan Civil War, Post-civil war violence in Libya, and the Second Libyan Civil War
Logo of the February 17th Martyrs Brigade
Ideology	Islamism
Size	1,500–3,500
Part of	Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries
Allies	Ansar al-Sharia
Battles and wars	Libyan Civil War 2012 Benghazi attack Post–civil war violence in Libya Second Libyan Civil War

The February 17th Martyrs Brigade is an Islamist militia active in Libya. It is considered to be the largest and best armed militia in eastern Libya. The brigade is financed by the Libyan defense ministry.^[1] The brigade consists of at least 12 battalions and possesses a large collection of light and heavy weapons in addition to training facilities. Its membership is estimated at between 1,500 and 3,500. The group has carried out various security and law and order tasks in eastern Libya and Kufra in the south.^[1]

This brigade was called on for assistance by the US government during the 2012 Benghazi attack.^[2]

References